October 20, 2022 Meeting

Weymouth School Committee

Humanities Center & Zoom
October 20, 2022
MEETING MINUTES
(approved 11/17/22)

Members In Attendance: Tracey Nardone, Vice Chair; Carrie Palazzo, Secretary; Kathy Curran, Rebecca Sherlock-Shangraw; Steve Buccigross;

Members Absent: Dr. John Sullivan, Chair; Mayor Hedlund

Also Present: Robert Wargo, Superintendent; Brian Smith, Assistant Superintendent; Melanie Curtin, Assistant Superintendent

The Meeting Began at 6:01pm.

Mrs. Nardone moved to enter into executive session: Pursuant to M.G.L. c. 30A, s. 21(a)(2): To conduct collective bargaining session: WEA Level III Grievance. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Roll call vote. Motion passed unanimously.

The Meeting was called to order at 7:01pm
The chair informed that the meeting is being recorded and available on WETC.

Mrs. Nardone led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Consent Agenda:
The Consent agenda included:

• Warrant 16-2023 in the amount of $526,532.59. Dated 10/17/22
• Regular Minutes: 10/6/22 ● Budget Sub Committee Minutes: 10/12/22
• Field Trip: WHS - Grades 10-12 SkillsUSA Fall State Leadership Conference, Best Western Hotel and Conference Center Marlboro, MA-Sunday, November 20-Monday, November 21, 2022

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the consent agenda. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed unanimously.

Public Comment
In accordance with Policy BEDH.

-John Hanula, 300 Neck St.
Shared his concerns of safety of play on blacktop during recess for his kindergarten daughter in the Life Skills program at Ralph Talbot.

Report of the Superintendent:
Superintendent Wargo expressed his thanks to Lynn Howard and team for their work with the STEAM conference for girls on 10/22/20, 8am at WHS.

Carol Gregory from RIBAS is continuing to do evaluatory training for administrators. Attorney Colleen Shea is also giving legal updates on student discipline and Chapter 150E-labor relations.

There will be a presentation on youth vaping at Chapman on 10/26.22 at 7pm.

Kudos were expressed:
-Ryan Casey, Boys Rugby Coach for receiving the 21-22 MIAA coach of the year
-AD O’Leary for organizing the well attended and successful Pep Rally.
-Julieanne Gamache speaking and educating Chapman students and families on CTE program and admissions
-Cindy Hamilton at Murphy
-Educators-Jorge Moscaso, Nicole Bradley and Amy Carrol, Kristin Marcella, Ashley Murphy and Melissa Staffier

The last football game attendance increased with younger students attending with a parent/guardian.

WHTC is performing Seussical on November 18, 19, 20.

Dreamcatcher Road Race will be on Thanksgiving morning at 7:30am. The road race supports funding for student athletes to participate in school sports.

Discussion of pep rally, football game attendance and having more community conversation as well as the life skills program at Talbot was had. More information was requested on the life skills program at Talbot..

Mrs. Curran made an announcement that the MICCA, Marching Band finals will be held at Veterans’ Memorial Stadium on Sunday 10/23/22 at 11am, tickets-$15 adults, $10 students/seniors.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Assessment Report 2021-2022 - Melanie Curtin, Asst. Superintendent & Richard Bransfield, Exec. Director Elementary Ed.

Assistant Superintendent Curtin gave an overview of the presentation. Topics included 2 year district goals of 60% higher growth of MCAS assessment, student achievement, Math and ELA growth percentiles in grades 5-10, focusing on engagement/equity/empowerment, interventions and tiered supports as well as next steps.

It was reiterated that MCAS is just one data source. A request was made to have data given 1 time a year on students performing at grade level in reading and math. All questions asked by the committee were addressed.

b. Budget Sub-Committee Report-10/12/22(action requested)

Mr. Buccigross gave a summary of the 10/12/22 meeting. Topics included: Grants, gift report (action item on agenda), Sarah Cunnigham Trust gift donation (action item on agenda), Food Service RFP timeline, Audits and Reports, FY23 budget projection, FY24 budget process, and Capital vs. Needs list requests relating to school committee goals.

Motion by Ms. Palazzo and seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept the report of the Budget Sub-Committee. Motion passed unanimously.

c. Acceptance of Gifts (action requested)

Donations received for the period of 7/1/21-6/30-22:
$49,310.45 monetary and $32,688.92 in kind.

Motion by Ms. Palazzo and seconded by Mr Buccigross to accept the gift report. Motion carried.

d. Acceptance of Gift from Sandra A. Cunningham Revocable Trust (action requested)

The Sandra A. Cunningham Revocable Trust allowed for a $52K distribution to the Pingree School on behalf of the Weymouth School Committee for Pingree materials and educators continuing education. The funds will be deposited into the Pingree gift account and expended at the discretion of the Pingree Principal working with the Business Office. To accept the generous gift, it does require school committee vote, release and approval from the Chair.

Motion by Ms. Palazzo and seconded by Mr. Buccigross to accept the gift from Sandra A. Cunningham Revocable Trust. Motion carried unanimously

e. Policy Sub-Committee Report-10/11/22 (action requested)

Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw summarized the meeting on 10/11/22. Policies covered to move to the full school committee were:

Policies for update due to legal citation from MASC: JIC/AC/AC-R/GBA/GCF/JB/KCD. Clarification between JFBB and JFBB-1 was made. Motion by Ms. Palazzo and seconded by Mr. Buccigross to accept the report of the policy sub committee. Motion carried unanimously.

f. Policy JIC-Student Discipline-First Reading

It was requested that administrators and Principals read over this policy.

g. Policy AC-Non Discrimination including Harassment and Retaliation-First Reading

h. Policy AC-R-Non Discrimination including Harassment and Retalation-First Reading

Position titles will be added.

i. Policy GBA-Equal Employment Opportunity-First Reading

j. Policy GCF – Professional Staff Hiring-First Reading

k. Policy JB – Equal Educational Opportunities-First Reading

l. Policy KCD - Public Gifts to the Schools-First Reading

m. Policy JFBB-1 – School Choice-First Reading

This policy replaces the existing policy and will be voted on annually. Weymouth does not generally admit non-resident students.

All above policies are available online and will be moved forward for 2nd reading.

n. 2022-2023 Calendar Change - Primary Open Houses in April 2023 (Action Requested)

Due to a religious holiday, primary open houses will move from April 5 & 6 to April 4 & 5.

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to approve the primary open house change. Seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Motion passed unanimously.

o. Assignment of a representative to the MASC/MASS Annual Meeting (Action Requested)

Motion by Ms. Palazzo to nominate Dr. Sullivan as representative at the MASC/MASS annual meeting. Seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw. Motion passed unanimously. It was stated that Dr. Sullivan did accept the nomination.

p. MASC Resolutions (Action Requested)

Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw shared that voting is not dependent on if the resolution is happening in Weymouth, only showing which way the committee would like the representative to vote. Each RESOLUTION and THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED was read into the record.

○ Resolution 1: Regarding Sanctuary Laws for Transgender Students

Motion by Mrs. Nardone and seconded by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept Resolution 1. Motion carried 4-1. Mrs. Curran voted no.

○ Resolution 2: To Increase the Maximum Balance Allowed by The Special Education Reserve Fund

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept resolution 2. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion carried 4-1. Mrs. Curran voted no.

○ Resolution 3: Membership of The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept resolution 3. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion carried. Mrs. Curran abstained.

○ Resolution 4: Preserving Local Governance of Massachusetts Schools

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to approve resolution 4. Second by Ms. Palazzo. Motion carried. Mrs. Curran abstained.

○ Resolution 5: Personal Financial Literacy Education

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to approve resolution 5. Seconded by Mr. Buccigross. Motion carried unanimously.

○ Resolution 6: Establishment of A Regional School Assessment Reserve Fund

Motion by Dr. Sherlock-Shangraw to accept resolution 6. Seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion carried. Mrs. Curran voted no.

q. Consideration on becoming a paperless committee (Action Requested)

A larger conversation is needed. Possibly in a Meeting of the Whole.

Motion by Ms. Palazzo and seconded by Mrs. Curran to table consideration of becoming a paperless committee. Motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Policy Section D-Third Reading

Discussion was had on language of policy section DBG. The last paragraph will be amended as: “Authority for adoption of the final school budget bottom line lies with the elected officials who comprise, and who are entitled to vote at, the appropriate meetings. The school budget is presented as part of the total town budget at the annual town meeting.”

Motion by Mr. Buccigross to accept with recommended edits of DBG, Policy Section D. Seconded by Mrs. Curran. Motion passed unanimously.

b. Update and Status of Abigail Adams - Assistant Superintendent Brian Smith

Assistant Superintendent Smith shared that designers have met with Principal Perez and team many times and the initial plans for the main and second level (PreK space) will be presented at the next meeting on November 15, 2022. The potential capacity according to code is up to 400 students. Administrative office moves are ongoing. Transportation and Maintenance are currently at Adams.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Abigail Adams/Early Education Facilities Committee - November 15th - 3:30 - School Administration Building/Virtual
-Budget Sub-Committee Meeting - November 16th - 6:00 p.m.- School Administration Building
-WPS Information Hub is now available at: https://www.weymouthschools.org/district/family/pages/weymouth-information-hub From SEPAC
-Foreriver Bridge will be lit up yellow at 5pm on 11/1/22
-Sensory night with WHTC on 11/15/22 -MA Advocacy for Children presentation on 11/29 via Zoom at 7pm

Congratulations were expressed to Mrs. Nardone, new grandmother of Sage Grace!

Next School Committee Meeting:
Regular Meeting: Thursday, November 17, 2022 - 7:00pm

The Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm on the motion of Mr. Buccigross, seconded by Ms. Palazzo. Motion passed unanimously.

Documents Attached to These Minutes:

• Skills USA Field Trip
• Assessment 2021-2022
• Acceptance of Gifts
• Policy Sub-Committee Report and Policies for First Reading (all attached to report)
• Policy JIC – Student Discipline (First Reading)
• Policy AC – Non Discrimination including Harassment and Retaliation (First Reading)
• Policy AC-R – Non Discrimination including Harassment and Retaliation (First Reading)
• Policy GBA – Equal Employment Opportunity (First Reading)
• Policy GCF – Professional Staff Hiring (First Reading)
• Policy JB – Equal Educational Opportunities (First Reading)
• Policy KCD - Public Gifts to the Schools (First Reading)
• Policy JFBB-1 – School Choice (First Reading)
• MASC Resolutions
• Policy Section D - Third Reading

Respectfully Submitted,

Carrie Palazzo
Secretary

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